Empowering Women Leading the Revolution in Texas Wine Industry

Even though Texas is the fifth largest wine producing region in the country, you would be hard pressed to hear it when mentioning some of the U.S. AVAs. While Napa, Sonoma, the Finger Lakes, Paso Robles and Willamette Valley may be the first to come to mind, there is a robust community of women in the wine industry in Texas who are ensuring that the Texas Hill Country AVA gains the recognition it deserves.

Courtesy of Narra Vineyards & Kalasi Cellars

“Growing grapes in Texas is not for the faint of heart,” says Nikhila Narra Davis, owner of Narra Vineyards & Kalasi Cellars located in Brownsfield, TX. “Every vintage can bring a variety of challenges to grape growing, including late freezes, hail storms, and damaging sprays from neighbouring farms. These issues present a challenge, but also ensure that we never get bored; it always provides an adventure.”

Courtesy of Uplift Vineyards

Claire Richardson, winemaker at Uplift Vineyards in Burnet, TX, says, “Texas weather often presents all the extremes. These weather conditions are not perfect for cultivating grapes; but with flexible and proactive farming methods, we can produce quality fruit regardless of these challenges,” adds Richardson.

Undeterred by any challenge, the art of winemaking in Texas has won over Richardson, as well as Davis and Janet Miertschin, who are co-owner and winemaker at Johnson City, TX-based Portree Cellars respectively. All of them reached Texas Hill Country through completely different journeys; Davis first experienced winemaking during Napa Harvests and worked as a winemaker at Cakebread Cellars; Richardson discovered her passion for fermentation in her food science course at Texas A&M University; and Miertschin, a chef and painter, used her life experiences to transition into winemaking. “I fell head over heels for the Texas wine industry and winemaking as my knowledge and experiences in it expanded,” Miertschin shares.

While the weather can be an obstacle, being a rising wine region poses another challenge. However, reshaping that perspective has been both a test and a source of enjoyment for winemakers. Miertschin expresses that witnessing the transformation from surprise to delight when tasters find out that Texas is producing high-quality wines has been a particular joy for her. This is especially true because she feels that wine enthusiasts tend to overlook Texas, despite the state producing many award-winning wines.

“The quality of Texas wines has remarkably improved over years, but unfortunately, many people, both within Texas and outside of it, have yet to acknowledge the progress made in our industry. I would urge everyone to take part in some blind tastings and discover the superior wines for themselves,” Miertschin suggests.

Richardson reiterates this point and suggests that moving beyond the stereotypes hasn’t been easy. She motivates wine enthusiasts to keep an open mind and to appreciate the offerings of Texas today.

She declares, “Considering the varied microclimates and soil structures in Texas, we can cultivate a wide range of grapes. Consequently, there’s a large number of excellent wines being produced here. We’ve moved past the stage of sweet red blends that are commonly associated with Texas.”

In reaction to these issues, Richardson has adopted a fully creative approach. She mentions that one aspect she loves about winemaking in Texas is the liberty to innovate, considering the region’s novelty.

She explains, “We don’t have to deal with constraints in terms of legislation that could limit the type of grapes to be grown or winemaking techniques to be adopted. This level of freedom allows winemakers and viticulturists to test and introduce novel methods that will enhance our region further.”

Compliments of Uplift Vineyards

Italian varieties appear to be popular amongst connoisseurs, with Fiano, Aglianico, Teroldego, Montepulciano seeming to thrive for Miertschin. Conversely, Davis enjoys experimenting with Sagrantino and Teroldego, in addition to eight diverse Cabernet Sauvignon clones.

“Each clone contributes a distinctive taste and scent to each wine, unexpectedly delighting many customers – not all Cabernets are identical,” explains Davis.

Richardson notes her frequent interaction with Italian varieties which acclimate well to Texas’s weather, although she also has an affinity for Roussanne and Marsanne. But, she insists, there’s an exceptional Texan grape that deserves everyone’s focus.

“Statewide, I think Tannat is the rising star of Texas. It has no trouble surviving the extreme weather and always produces a standout wine, even in the most difficult years” Richardson says.

But no matter what challenges are faced, these Texas women in wine know that the community they have joined – and help develop – is there to help.

“Women have a strong presence in Texas wine. There are numerous women owned and women led wineries, brands, vineyards, and organizations. We are fortunate that the Texas wine industry is a tight knit community. With that comes a lot of support, exchange of ideas and information, and opportunity” Richardson says.

About the Author: Chris Lehoux

Meet Chris Lehoux, an experienced wine connoisseur and dedicated blogger with a deep passion for all things wine-related. With years of expertise in the industry, Chris shares insightful wine reviews, valuable wine tasting tips, expert pairing advice, and captivating tales of vineyard visits. Join Chris on a journey through the world of wine, where every sip is an adventure waiting to be savored!